As technology continues to shape industries across the globe, pharmacists in Nigeria have been urged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations to enhance business performance and patient outcomes.
This call was made recently during a one-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Pharma Career Advancement Group. The theme of the workshop, “Principles and Applications of Artificial Intelligence,” was, according to the convener, Dr Lolu Ojo, aimed at expanding pharmacists’ knowledge beyond traditional clinical boundaries.
Speaking at the event, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Lagos, Dr Chika Yinka-Banjo, noted that AI is ushering in a new era of pharmacy practice with the potential to significantly improve supply chain efficiency, dispensing accuracy, and personalised patient care.
Yinka-Banjo emphasised that AI technologies are no longer futuristic concepts but real-world tools already transforming pharmaceutical workflows globally. “AI enables pharmacies to optimise inventory, reduce dispensing errors, and support clinical decision-making through data-driven insights,” she stated.
One of the key areas highlighted was inventory management. AI algorithms can forecast medication demand by analysing historical sales data, local epidemiological trends, seasonal patterns, and external factors such as weather and disease outbreaks. “This allows for more accurate procurement planning, minimising stockouts and reducing wastage due to expired medications,” she explained.
Yinka-Banjo also highlighted how AI is enhancing the reliability of Automated Dispensing Systems (ADS). These systems, powered by machine learning, continuously refine their processes by learning from past dispensing errors, thereby improving precision. “By integrating AI into ADS, pharmacies can significantly reduce human error and enhance patient safety,” she added.
She went on to discuss the growing use of AI in patient-centred pharmaceutical care. AI tools, she said, are now being used to analyse patient profiles—including medication history, genetic markers, and comorbidities—to inform personalised medication therapy management (MTM). This trend, she noted, has implications for improving adherence, managing polypharmacy, and identifying potential adverse drug events (ADEs).
The computer scientist further mentioned the role of AI-driven virtual assistants in supporting pharmacists through remote patient monitoring, medication counselling, and chronic disease education—particularly in underserved communities.
However, she stressed the need for ethical implementation. “Pharmacists must remain vigilant about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the risk of over-reliance on automation. It is essential to balance technological innovation with professional judgment and patient-centred care,” she said.
She called on pharmacy schools, professional bodies, and regulatory agencies in Nigeria to begin integrating AI literacy into curricula and continuing professional development. “AI is not replacing the pharmacist,” she concluded. “Rather, it is reshaping the pharmacist’s role to be more analytical, clinical, and tech-savvy.”
Also speaking at the workshop, Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Development at the University of Benin, Professor Omokhoa Adeleye, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in the pharmaceutical sector. He urged local stakeholders to explore AI-driven solutions in drug development, inventory control, and patient safety.
“Nigeria must not be left behind in the global AI revolution. All advocacy must be compelling, and every step must reflect ethical seriousness,” he stated.
Speaking with Pharmanews, Dr Ojo emphasised the importance of continuous learning and adapting to the evolving healthcare and technology landscape. “This is what we do—to assist our colleagues in broadening their knowledge. When you have knowledge and you apply it, that is what we call wisdom,” he said.
According to Ojo, since 2021, the group has organised a series of workshops focusing on practical skills for pharmacists, including digital marketing and finance. The introduction of AI, he explained, is in response to the growing impact of intelligent technologies on healthcare delivery and business management.
“Even within pharmacy, you need associated knowledge to thrive. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how things are done. Pharmacists must be intentional about learning and leveraging these tools,” he said.
He encouraged pharmacists to stay “ahead of their environment,” warning that those who fail to adapt may be overwhelmed by rapidly changing economic and technological conditions.
In her closing remarks, the chair of the event, Pharmacist Theresa Pounds, commended the speakers for their insightful presentations and lamented what she described as inadequate collaboration among healthcare professionals.
“Now, I’ll tell you—AI is going to force all of us to collaborate. For those who are ready to do it well and do it right—and have a roadmap—AI will drive that collaboration,” Pounds said.
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